Pahang rode on their foreigners for a convincing 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Felda United in Wednesday’s only Super League match played at the Darul Makmur Stadium in Kuantan.
While the win confirmed Pahang’s runners-up slot in the elite league, Felda stares at relegation to the lower-tier Premier League with 16 points from 21 matches and will need a miracle to beat Kedah in their last match.
Felda is 11th in the 12-team – ahead of 10th-placed PKNP (Perak SEDC) – on goal difference. PKNP has 22-29 tally against Felda’s 22-42.
Johor Darul Takzim has already won their sixth successive Super League title with 52 points. Kedah and Selangor are third and fourth with 34 points each and Melaka United fifth on 33.
Pahang was never in doubt of victory against Felda although S. Chanturu made it 1-1 for the visitors on 27 minutes after Namibian Lazarus Kaimbi headed home Pahang’s opening goal in the 14th minute.
Frenchman Herold Goulon regained the lead for the Elephants in the 72nd minute via a header off a freekick by Faisal Halim before Nigerian Dickson Nwakaeme completed the scoring in the 88th minute.
“Finishing runners-up in the league is a consolation for the team after we lost to Perak in the FA Cup semi-finals,” said Pahang coach Dollah Salleh.
Pahang was the FA Cup defending champions but a 3-0 defeat in the second-leg semi-finals in Ipoh knocked the Elephants out 4-3 on aggregate. RIZAL ABDULLAH
